Wirral SEND Partnership (SENDIASS)
Who we are and what we do
Under the Children and Families Act (2014) it is a legal requirement that all Local Authorities in England provide a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS). In Wirral, this service is known as Wirral SEND Partnership.
Wirral SEND Partnership (SENDIASS) provides free, impartial legally- based information, advice and support to children and young people, those with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) aged 0 – 25 years and their parents/carers.
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 working days. Time-critical enquiries (where you may have a specific timeframe to respond to a decision) are given priority.
What we offer
- Helpline
A dedicated 24-hour Helpline with answer machine facility, operated by trained and experienced staff
- Bookable telephone advice appointments
If you require a more in-depth discussion, we can arrange a one hour-long telephone appointment at a time that suits you
- Resources
A range of downloadable information and resources about various SEND topics
- Training for Parent/Carers and professionals
Sessions cover various topics including SEN Support & attendance, EHC Needs Assessments and Plans; Annual Reviews; Personal Budgets; Appeals and Tribunals
- Ongoing Casework support
If your case is complex, you will be assigned to a Caseworker who will provide ongoing information, advice and support
- Early resolution support
This is not a single event, but is an approach that is embedded into the way we work. We will work with you to resolve disagreements as early as possible
Topics we cover:
We provide legally-based information, advice and support to Children and Young people aged 0-25 with SEND and their Parent/Carers, on a range of Education, Health and Social Care topics relating to SEND including:
- First concerns that a child may have SEND that have not yet been identified
- SEN Support in Schools including the Graduated Approach
- Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
- Education, Health & Care Needs Assessments (EHCNA)
- Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCP’s)
- Direct Payments and Personal Budgets
- Disagreement Resolution
- Appeals and Tribunals (including Mediation)
- Annual, Interim and transition Reviews
- Post-16
- SEND-related Health topics, including advice about pathways and access to services
- SEND-related Social Care topics
- Preparation for Adulthood
- Exclusions, suspensions and other sanctions
- Choosing the right School
- Transport
- Disability Discrimination
We can advise you about what the duties and responsibilities of Local Authorities, Education providers, Health and Social Care Services, as well as your rights and the rights of a child or young person.
We do not provide any advice or support about claiming benefits for a child or YP with SEND. Click here for information and advice from Contact – a national charity that supports families with disabled children or call their helpline on 0808 808 3555
Early Resolution support
Early resolution is an approach that is embedded within how SENDIASS operates to help resolve disputes and complaints quickly and informally. This could be a dispute or complaint about all SEND-related matters with Education, Health or Social Care services.
This usually involves SENDIASS facilitating a discussion between you and the Education, Health or Social Care professionals you have a dispute with, to agree a workable solution and help improve communication. We recommend that you start by requesting a meeting with the relevant party.
How can SENDIASS help with Early Resolution?
SENDIASS can contact the Education, Health or Social Care professionals you have a dispute with, prior to your meeting to make sure that they understand the dispute and find out more information.
SENDIASS can provide you with pre-meeting advice. Pre-meeting advice means we will help you to narrow down the issues, explain the law and how this applies to your circumstances. We will also provide you with a list of questions to ask during your meeting.
SENDIASS may also be able to attend the meeting, to facilitate a discussion between you and provide you with support to get your views across. If you are arranging a meeting and require this support from SENDIASS, we usually recommend providing us with at least 2-weeks-notice, to maximise the chances of someone being available.
If you feel that Early Resolution facilitated by SENDIASS will not resolve the issues, SENDIASS can refer you to Wirral Disagreement Resolution & Mediation Service who can organise a disagreement resolution meeting chaired by an accredited SEND Mediator.
Disagreement Resolution can be used for a number of SEND-related issues, with Education providers, the Local Authority and Health or Social Care services.
National SEND Helpline
Contact’ operate a helpline for parents and carers in any part of the UK with a disabled child aged from birth to 25.
- Freephone: 0808 808 3555 (Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5pm).
- Or visit their website https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/
IPSEA are the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, and provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 years.
